Date: Sun, 6 Mar 94 04:30:52 PST From: Ham-Space Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Ham-Space-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Ham-Space@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Ham-Space Digest V94 #49 To: Ham-Space Ham-Space Digest Sun, 6 Mar 94 Volume 94 : Issue 49 Today's Topics: ANS-057 BULLETINS APRS operations on 145.79??? GPS Receiver Boards (2 msgs) Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Ham-Space Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-space". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 27 Feb 94 16:46:01 GMT From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!fantom!crs-sys!ersys!adec23!ve6mgs!usenet@ucbvax.berkeley.edu Subject: ANS-057 BULLETINS To: ham-space@ucsd.edu SB SAT PRELIMINARY RS-15 INFORMATION HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 057.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 26, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-057.01 Preliminary RS-15 Data Provided by LW2DTZ Gustavo Carpignano (LW2DTZ) provides this summary of information regarding RS-15 which he has obtained from several Russians who are participating in this project. According to these sources, the official "presentation" of RS-15 to the Russian Space Agency has been delayed until 20-MAR-94. The launch date has shifted its position for launch since the Cosmodrome is not quite ready for it. It is reported that RS-15 will launched by a Rokot vehicle, which is a refurbished SS-19 with the addition of a third stage. Some data regarding equipment and orbital parameters are: Uplink: 145.857 - 145.897 MHz Downlink: 29.351 - 29.397 MHz Beacon #1 29.398 MHz Power 0.4 or 1.2 W Beacon #2 29.353 MHz Power same as Beacon #1 Antenna 1/4 wave Height 2,300 KM Inclination 67 degrees Much of this information has also been confirmed by Vern Riportella (WA2LQQ) by his sources in Russia. [The AMSAT News Service (ANS) wishes to thank Gustavo Carpignano (LW2DTZ) of AMSAT-LU and Vern Riportella (WA2LQQ) for the information used in preparing this bulletin.] /EX SB SAT G0/K8KA RECEIVES HIS PHD HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 057.02 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 26, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-057.02 G0/K8KA Receives Doctorial Degree From University of Surrey It is with very great pleasure that the amateur space community congratu- lates Jeff Ward (K8KA/G0SUL) on the award of his PhD thesis after a "viva voce" examination Thursday, 24-FEB-94 at the University of Surrey in England. Dr. Martin Sweeting (G3YJO) announced that Jeff's thesis, entitled "The Design, Implementation and In-Orbit Demonstration of a Store & Forward Digital Communication System for Low Earth Orbit Satel- lites", was accepted by the University of Surrey Examiners unanimously without need for any corrections. G3YJO notes that such unconditional acceptance is a rare occurrence. The amateur space community joins G3YJO in saying, "Well done Dr. Ward"! Bill Tynan W3XO, AMSAT-NA President says that he is especially pleased with Jeff's accomplishment because they represent yet another example of the role that amateur radio can play in education at all levels. [The AMSAT News Service (ANS) would like to thank Martin Sweeting (G3YJO) for the information used in this bulletin. ] /EX SB SAT BREMSAT TELEMETRY REPORTS NEEDED HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 057.03 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 26, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-057.03 BREMSAT Telemetry Reports Requestedle For AO-13 The German BREMSAT satellite was deployed on the STS-60 shuttle mission in early February as a "getaway special." It is a scientific satellite carry- ing a number of experiments including measurements of atomic oxygen, micro- meteor/dust impacts, etc. BREMSAT is in a low orbit and is predicted to enjoy a lifespan of only 45 days. Oliver Amend (DG6BCE) has asked radio amateurs for assistance in monitoring BREMSAT's telemetry during reentry. Oliver is a member of the German "Technical Youth Leisure Education Association." They hope to compile the reentry telemetry from several groundstations located along the reentry path. However, the path is difficult to predict and he is looking for amateurs -- particularly those in the southern hemisphere -- who can act as monitoring stations to fill any gaps in their coverage. BREMSAT transmits 9600 bps telemetry on 137.8 MHz. The data can be received with a simple bi-phase decoder. Construction details are available directly from DG6BCE. If you are interested in monitoring the final moments of BREMSAT, or if you know anyone who is, please contact Oliver Amend at the following address: Oliver Amend Durerstr. 56 D-28844 Weyhe-Leeste Germany At this late date, it may be best to send a fax message to him if you have the capability. Address the fax cover sheet to: Oliver Amend c/o DST fax number: 49-421-40-46-60 /EX SB SAT AO-13 OPERATIONS NET HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 057.04 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 26, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-057.04 Current AMSAT Operations Net Schedule For AO-13 AMSAT Operations Nets are planned for the following times. Mode-B Nets are conducted on AO-13 on a downlink frequency of 145.950 MHz. If, at the start of the OPS Net, the frequency of 145.950 MHz is being used for a QSO, OPS Net enthusiasts are asked to move to the alternate frequency of 145.955 MHz. Date UTC Mode Phs NCS Alt NCS 05-Mar-94 2200 B 077 W9ODI VE2LVC 13-Mar-94 0130 B 075 VE2LVC W9ODI 19-Mar-94 1730 B 073 W5IU WA5ZIB 26-Mar-94 2130 B 084 WA5ZIB W5IU Any stations with information on current events would be most welcomed. Also, those interested in discussing technical issues or who have questions about any particular aspect of OSCAR statellite operations, are encouraged to join the OPS Nets. If neither of the Net Control Stations show up, any participant is invited to act as the NCS. AO-13 ZRO Tests For March 1994 The following schedule of Mode "B" tests were chosen for convenient operating times and favorable squint angles. The tests can be heard on 145.840 MHz. Andy McAlister (WA5ZIB) will conduct all the tests. Mode "JL" tests will no longer occur due to the failure of AO-13's 70CM trans- mitter. Day Date (UTC) Time Areas covered Saturday Mar. 19, 1994 1930 UTC NA, SA, Europe, Africa Saturday Mar. 26, 1994 2315 UTC NA, SA Note that the dates and days are shown in "UTC". Any changes will be announced as soon as possible via the AMSAT HF and AO-13 Operations Nets. All listener reports with date of test and numbers copied should be sent to Andy MacAllister (WA5ZIB), AMSAT V.P. User Operations, 14714 Knights Way Drive, Houston, TX 77083-5640. A report will be returned verifying the level of accurate reception. An S.A.S.E. is appreciated but not required. /EX SB SAT WEEKLY OSCAR STATUS REPORTS HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 057.05 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD FEBUARY 26, 1994 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT BID: $ANS-057.05 Weekly OSCAR Status Reports: 26-FEB-94 AO-13: Current Transponder Operating Schedule: L QST Mode-B : MA 0 to MA 90 | Mode-BS : MA 90 to MA 120 | Mode-S : MA 120 to MA 145 |<- S transponder; B trsp. is OFF Mode-S : MA 145 to MA 150 |<- S beacon only Mode-BS : MA 150 to MA 180 | Blon/Blat 180/0 Mode-B : MA 180 to MA 256 | Omnis : MA 230 to MA 30 | Move to attitude 240/0, Apr 04 [G3RUH/DB2OS/VK5AGR] FO-20: The following is the current schedule for transponder operations: ANALOG MODE: 23-FEB-94 8:05 -TO- 02-MAR-94 6:40 UTC 09-MAR-94 7:05 -TO- 16-MAR-94 7:30 UTC 23-MAR-94 7:52 -TO- 30-MAR-94 8:15 UTC DIGITAL MODE: Unless otherwise noted above. [Kazu Sakamoto (JJ1WTK) qga02014@niftyserve.or.jp] AO-16: Operating normally. [WH6I] LO-19: Operating normally. [WH6I] IO-26: The BBS is up and running (1200 baud) and seeing a lot of use. [WH6I] KO-23: Up and running. [WH6I] KO-25: The BBS is running. After the first "bunch" of images, there have been no new ones. The format for the smaller image files will apparently not be made available to amateurs. [WH6I] RS-12: Last week ZS6AOP asked what the preferred mode of operation is over Europe and the US? AL7MK reports that while he lived in Alaska, about 75% of his QSOs on RS-12 were accomplished using CW because, as he explains, "it worked better on marginal passes." Today AL7MK lives in CT. His satellite operations only include MIR using his H/T with a 30 watt amplifier at the moment until he brings his HF gear out of storage. [AL7MK @ W1NRG.CT] The AMSAT NEWS Service (ANS) is looking for volunteers to contribute weekly OSCAR status reports. If you have a favorite OSCAR which you work on a regular basis and would like to contribute to this bulletin, please send your observations to WD0HHU at his CompuServe address of 70524,2272, on INTERNET at wd0hhu@amsat.org, or to his local packet BBS in the Denver, CO area, WD0HHU @ W0LJF.#NECO.CO.USA.NOAM. Also, if you find that the current set of orbital elements are not generating the correct AOS/LOS times at your QTH, PLEASE INCLUDE THAT INFORMATION AS WELL. The information you provide will be of value to all OSCAR enthusiasts. /EX ------------------------------ Date: 1 Mar 94 05:52:41 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!think.com!spdcc!russell@hplabs.hp.com Subject: APRS operations on 145.79??? To: ham-space@ucsd.edu Hello all, Recently, amateurs in the Omaha area where I live have been looking into getting an APRS network set up, and one thing that's been a concern of several people (myself included) is the fact that the "standard" frequency that is being used for APRS is 145.79 mHz. This seems to us to be much too close to the 145.80-146.00 satellite band, especially given the fact that APRS is designed for wide-area operation and people will probably be running some high-powered digipeaters, at least on a temporary basis for special events and probably on a permanent basis. It has also been mentioned that this frequency falls in a subband that has been suggested for experimental uses, and a permanent packet network based on established AX.25 protocols hardly seems experimental. What do you think? Are we being paranoid, or is it just that APRS isn't popular enough for people to have noticed? I'd like to see this discussed before people sart putting up fixed-frequency remote digis, etc that will be VERY hard to get moved. APRS looks like a great system, and I think it does need a coordinated frequency, but I don't think 145.79 should be that frequency. -- Tim Russell n0zhy@wd0har.#ene.ne.us.na russell@spdcc.com Most people would rather have comfort than freedom. The paradox is that you can't really have the former, in the long term, unless you have the latter. -- Amanda Walker ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Mar 94 18:34:14 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!ulowell!xn.ll.mit.edu!ll.mit.edu!wjc@network.ucsd.edu Subject: GPS Receiver Boards To: ham-space@ucsd.edu In article , jyoungberg@draper.com (James W. Youngberg) writes: |> I've followed various GPS threads as they've come and gone. In order to pose |> volume/price arguments to folks in the business, what would be the size of the |> amateur market for GPS engines? |> |> Presume an engine consists of the entire RX, minus antenna, including a data |> port (probably NMEA 0183), on a PC board. Examples are currently manufacured |> by Rockwell, Magellan, Canadian Marconi, Plessey, and Trimble, among others. |> Marketed in the $500 class for single-unit quantities. |> |> Skip, K1NKR |> How many channels would I get for $500? Bill Chiarchiaro N1CPK wjc@ll.mit.edu ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 1994 23:38:11 GMT From: news.cerf.net!pravda.sdsc.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!news.Cerritos.edu!news.Arizona.EDU!math.arizona.edu!noao!ncar!gatech!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.kei.com!@ihnp4.ucsd.edu Subject: GPS Receiver Boards To: ham-space@ucsd.edu The Garmin GPS-10 receiver board is less than $350 in quantities of 2 (two). It is an 8-channel receiver with NMEA output. They can supply a program that runs on a PC and displays the data from the GPS-10, connected to one of the serial ports. The above price includes the antenna. One of the reasons that we like it is that is only consumes 1 watt (0.2A @ 5V). Garmin can be reached at (800)800-1020. Note that this is not an endorsement, etc., etc..... Steven Hunter ------------------------------ End of Ham-Space Digest V94 #49 ******************************